Review: Join Lion Heart Productions at Deer Camp in the U.P. for Escanaba in da Moonlight!

Lion Heart Productions Escanaba in da Moonlight is a tale that director, Mike Gesler has been waiting a long time to present at Lion Heart as a director, and the timing just fell into place for this season. It is a show full of comedic moments that will have you laughing in your seats. Escanaba in da Moonlight is currently running until March 24 at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts in Fremont. Shows are March 23rd at 2pm, March 23rd at 7:30pm, and March 24th at 2pm.

The show starts when Albert Soady (Mark Walters) and his sons, Reuben (Jamie Evans) and Remnar (Devin Conley), go to deer camp, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Reuben is known around town as the "buckless Yooper" around town due to the fact he's never been able to shoot a deer, due to what everyone thinks is a curse. When Jimmy "The Jimmer" Negamanee from Menominee (Jim Jenkins) shows up after some unfortunate luck of his own that started with his truck dying, then starting on fire, then as he fires his gun at it, starts back up on fire. He shows up and the bad luck continues with curled syrup, a cursed game of cards, and a big mistake on Albert's part of not bringing the traditional pasty, which leads everyone to believe in the curse. To top it all off the DNR officer (Jim Bowman), an enemy to the hunting Yoopers shows up to their cabin in a state of disorientation claiming he saw God on the ridge of the camp. After a weird ritual including a special drink and porcupine pee for luck, Albert tells them his Native American wife, Wolf Moon Dance (Caitlin Phillips), predicted a successful hunt for him. This keeps him from becoming the oldest Soady in history to not have shot a buck. Will her vision come true? Will Albert finally get his buck? Come see Lion Heart Productions Escanaba in da Moonlight to find out!

Escanaba in da Moonlight is directed by Mike Gesler and was written by Michigan funny man, Jeff Daniels. Jim Jenkins definitely embodied his role perfectly and played his character of the same name "Jimmers" with the 100% comedy that it required of the character. Jim Bowman also is a very believable as DNR man. Jamie Evans and Devon Conley pull off acting like brothers easily, and Mark Walters does a great job rounding out the family unit as the father. The small time that Cailtin Phillips was on stage, it was a joy to see her and I look forward to seeing her return to local stage again.

If you are looking for a good laugh, and a show that promises a good time come and see Lion Heart Productions Escanaba in da Moonlight, with your Lion Heart family and friends!

Escanaba in da Moonlight is currently running until March 24th at the: Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts in Fremont. Shows are March 23rd at 2pm, March 23rd at 7:30pm, and March 24th at 2pm. For more information and tickets, visit https://tickets.vendini.com/.

Connect with Lion Heart Productions on Facebook facebook.com/LionHeartProductions/ and online www.lionheartproductions.org.

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